Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10588691May 15, 2014
POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF TURBO POWER DURING LOW SPEED ACCELERATION. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO VW OF QUAD CITIES IN DAVENPORT, IA ON 2 MAY 2014. SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED BY A VW SERVICE TECHNICIAN. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ON 5 MAY 2014 AND WAS REPORTED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. AGAIN, THE PROBLEM COULD BE REPLICATED AND WAS RETURN TO ME. I DEPARTED THE VW SERVICE AREA AND WHILE DRIVING AWAY THE PROBLEM RESURFACED IN THE VICINITY OF THE VW DEALERSHIP. I RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME TO EXPERIENCE THE FAULTY CONDITION. THE VW SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS THEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM WITH THE TURBO LOCKING UP A LOW SPEEDS. UPON RETURN FROM THE TEST DRIVE, PARTS WERE ORDERED TO MAKE REPAIRS. I WAS ALLOWED TO DEPART WITH MY IMPAIRED VEHICLE WHILE AWAITING PARTS. THE CAR'S TURBO FAILED AGAIN ON 8 MAY 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:20 AM WHILE APPROACHING THE I-74 BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM IOWA INTO ILLINOIS. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I WAS BRINGING THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FOR SERVICE SINCE THE VEHICLE'S PROPULSION WAS SEVERELY RESTRICTED WITHOUT THE TURBO BOOST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588275May 14, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 7/25/14*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588056May 13, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO I LEFT MY PARENTS' HOUSE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND QUICKLY FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGID LINE WHERE IT IS FASTENED TO THE FIREWALL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL TUBE HAD CRACKED INSIDE THE RUBBER LINED BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ODD BUT ISOLATED INCIDENT; I HAVE SINCE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR FAILURES, SO IT SEEMS WORTH DOCUMENTING CONSIDERING THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE INVOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588046May 13, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V577000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587787May 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
GLOW PLUG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STARTED BLINKING. MAJOR LOSS OF POWER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP IN FAYETVILLE, NC. PROBLEM REPORTED TO BE FAILED TURBO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587821May 12, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR, VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SAYS AIRBAG NEEDS REPLACED AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, WONDERING WHY WHEN ITS NEVER BEEN USED/ IN A WRECK? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587724May 12, 2014
ENGINE
OWN A 2013 VW PASSAT SEL TDI. GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED OVER, CALLED DEALER, THEY IN TURN HAD ME TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. GLOW PLUG LIGHT ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. DROVE TO DEALER LESS THAN 4 MILES. DIAGNOSTIC AT DEALER "EXHAUST TEMP SENSOR" BAD AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PART. WAS TOLD THESE SENSORS ARE LIKE "LIGHT BULBS", PER DEALER, AND WILL GO BAD ROUTINELY. PRETTY EXPENSIVE LIGHT BULB IF YOU ASK ME. I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BEING MAINTENANCE FREE, I TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY, THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT A SENSOR SHOULD GO BAD WITH 51,000 MILE ON A NEW VEHICLE AND IF THIS PART IS A "LIGHT BULB" THAN VW SHOULD ALLOW CONSUMER TO REPLACE NOT CHARGE THEM THIS RIDICULOUS LABOR FEE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587384May 9, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 55MPH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER I PULLED OVER, LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATING CAME FROM ENGINE ALSO CRA INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587422May 9, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES EMITTING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587040May 7, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587079May 7, 2014
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE CAME HOME FROM A 30 MILE TRIP AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. WENT IN THE HOUSE AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER HEARD A BIG POP SOUND. I THINK IS WAS A TIRE EXPLODING AND FOUND THE ENTIRE ENGINE ON FIRE. ANOTHER POPPING SOUND OCCURRED AND ANOTHER TIRE BLEW. ON THE DRIVE HOME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS NOTED ON THE DASH BOARD. WHEN WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THERE WERE NO ODORS OR INDICATION OF A FIRE. MY KEYS WERE IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. OTHER ISSUES THAT MIGHT BE RELATED. THIS PAST WEEK MY CHARGER GOT EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH AND I STOPPED USING IT. I ALSO FELT THE CAR TRY TO START AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586552May 5, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I PURCHASED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI SEL ON 03-31-2014. I WAS DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I WENT THROUGH A FREEWAY INTERCHANGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE GOING THROUGH THE INTERCHANGE AT A SPEED FASTER THAN ME. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) APPLIED THE BRAKES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT TRIED TO STRAIGHT MY VEHICLE OUT INTO THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT THE GUARD RAIL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE VW DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ESC ISSUE AND THE FACT THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT (ALIGNMENT ISSUE). THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING AND EVEN SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINE. THEY SAID THE ESC SOUNDED NORMAL TO THEM. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE SAME ROADS FOR 20 YEARS AND I KNEW THIS WASN'T NORMAL. I MADE VIDEOS OF THE ESC CAR SLOWING ME DOWN BELOW HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND SWEEPING CORNERS. I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER HOME ONE DAY AND A FORD EXPLORER NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, DURING WHICH THEY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT AND FIXED A TRIM PANEL THAT WAS FALLING DOWN. THE ESC THEY MAINTAIN IS WORKING PERFECTLY. THE FUNNY THING IS I ALSO HAVE A 2014 VW JETTA TDI THAT NEVER ENGAGES THE ESC, THOUGH IS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. I DROVE A 2014 VW CC AS A LOANER AND THE ESC NEVER ENGAGED. THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF VW IS ALLOWED TO TELL CONSUMERS THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PROGRAMMING OR HARDWARE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586292May 3, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED (ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS). THE FIRST IN 2013 (RIGHT SIDE) IN WHICH DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT VW WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT HOUSINGS. THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO DO A "COURTESY" FIX. IN APRIL OF 2014 THE LEFT LIGHT FAILED AND THE VW DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND THEN "APPLY" FOR A REFUND WHEN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN CAME OUT. THEY HAVE HAD A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR OVER 18 MONTHS AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. NO LIGHTS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586278May 2, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTED HEARING A WHISTLING TYPE OF SOUND AND NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL. AS I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE STALLED AND I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. VERY SCARY. IT FINALLY STARTED LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT STALLED OUT AGAIN. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE IT SERVICED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED TO TELL ME IT WAS THE TURBO AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BUT WILL HAVE A LIST OF QUESTIONS ON WHAT EXACTLY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY THIS NEW ENGINE HAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585971May 1, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR TENDS TO HAVE JERKING MOVEMENTS DURING SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT STOP SMOOTHLY AND GIVES WHIP LASHES AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES PEDAL TWICE TO ENSURE THE CAR STOPS. THE DSG SYSTEM FAILS TO ENGAGE SMOOTHLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC BUT RUNS SMOOTHLY WHILE IN "SPORT" MODE. WE HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS WHILE DRIVING IN AUTOMATIC DUE TO THE JERKY DSG GEAR SHIFTING AND POOR RESPONSE TIME IN THE BRAKING SYSTEMS WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. A VW SALES PERSON INFORMED ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR IS DESIGNED FOR FULL TIME "SPORT" MODE ON OPEN HIGHWAYS. THIS IS NOT REALISTIC AS LARGE CITIES NATURALLY HAVE HORRIFIC TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I FEAR THAT THIS DSG SYSTEM WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR EVEN DEATHS DUE TO THE "JERKY" RESPONSE IN AUTOMATIC MODE. I HAVE CONTACTED VW CORPORATE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK THE CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THE CAR IS WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND THE FIRST CAR I FEARED DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585586April 29, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR REPORTED 1/4 TANK THAN ABRUPTLY SPURTING AND REPORTED AN EMPTY TANK, CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO NO FUEL IN TANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584694April 24, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT W8 4-MOTION AND I FILLED THE TANK THE OTHER DAY AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I OPENED THE INTERIOR GARAGE DOOR IN THE MORNING THE FUMES WERE SO STRONG I EVACUATED MY WIFE AND 4 MONTH OLD BABY FORM THE HOUSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES, BOTH WERE WHEN I FILLED THE FUEL TANK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ADDED A HEAT SHIELD AND INSPECTED THE 4 MOTION VW PASSAT PURGE/ROLLOVER VALVE. THEY STATED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT SHOW THE VALVE BEING REPLACED. I CALLED VW AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS NO LONGER COVERED. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN A 3 STORY TOWN-HOME AND THE GARAGE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR MAIN FLOOR. I WOULD LIKE THE CAR INSPECTED ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584727April 24, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
WAS DRIVING 2013 PASSAT TDI SEL JUST FINE. TURNED AROUND IN A PARKING LOT AND WHEN I WENT TO PULL BACK INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR HAD NO POWER. STEPPING ON THE GAS ALMOST MADE THE CAR STALL, BUT IT WOULD IDLE FINE. AFTER TRYING EVERYTHING AND EVEN SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, IT DID THE SAME, WOULD IDLE FINE BUT YOU COULD NOT STEP ON THE FUEL PEDAL, IT WOULD MAKE THE CAR STALL OUT. LOCAL MECHANIC DROVE TO HIS NEARBY SHOP BY JUST LEAVING IT AND DRIVE AND USED IDLE POWER ONLY TO GET IT THERE (YES IT TOOK A WHILE). THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH SO HE HOOKED IT UP TO HIS COMPUTER AND IT GAVE THREE ERRORS FOR INJECTOR FAILURES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO DEALER 100 MILES AWAY. THE NEXT DAY, I WAS TOLD THE TURBO CHARGER HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE STILL WAITING FOR A GASKET. FINALLY AFTER ALMOST 3 WEEKS TO THE DAY, THEY SAID MY CAR WAS FIXED. I AM GOING TO PICK IT UP TOMORROW BUT HAVE VERY LITTLE FAITH IN THIS CAR AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS THREADS OUT THERE ABOUT THE TURBO CHARGER FAILURE RATE IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I THINK ITS TIME FOR A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584390April 23, 2014
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
1. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HESITATION AFTER A COLD START (TDI, DIESEL ENGINE) GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERYDAY SINCE PURCHASED. 2. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS AND STILL HAS A HARD RIGHT PULL SINCE PURCHASE (CAR WILL PULL INTO ADJACENT LANE WITHIN 200-250 FEET). MY PREVIOUS 2012 PASSAT TDI SEL STEERED STAIGHT. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, TO NO AVAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583912April 21, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
CAR WAS SLUGGISH TO GO WHEN ACCELERATING, JERKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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